Matt Renshaw’s county form is bordering on ridiculous

Camera IconMatt Renshaw’s 1,139 first-class runs at 59.94 for 2018 should see him back in Aussie colours this summer.Picture: Getty Images

Cameron Bancroft's pain continues to be Matt Renshaw's gain, with the Queensland opener extending his formidable first-class form to help Somerset claim top spot on the county championship table.

Bancroft was set to spend winter in England with Somerset, but the county voided his contract amid the fallout of the cheating scandal.

Somerset signed Renshaw as a last-minute replacement. It's proven a wise decision for both parties.

Renshaw produced knocks of 106 and 61 during his most recent outing, top-scoring in both innings of a six-wicket win over Nottinghamshire.

Renshaw, who celebrated a ton on county debut, has now scored more first-class runs than any other batsman in the world this year, tallying 1139 at 59.94.

The 22-year-old is fully expected to hold onto his spot in Australia's Test side and has bolstered his bid to play in next year's Ashes while giving his new team, founded in 1875, hope of winning their first county title.

Renshaw's Test career started promisingly - no Australian has scored more Test runs before their 21st birthday than the left-hander - but he was controversially dropped at the start of last summer's Ashes, making way for Bancroft.

Renshaw helped Queensland win the Sheffield Shield then was recalled to Australia's Test XI in Johannesburg, where both Bancroft and David Warner were stood down following the ball-tampering saga.

The youngster is set to open during Australia's series against Pakistan later this year, which will be their first Test assignment since the shameful tour of South Africa.

Renshaw will be given an ideal chance to warm up for that tour of the United Arab Emirates when he visits India in August with Australia A, playing both 50-over and first-class cricket.

"It's an extremely important tour, as we look for players who can adapt and find ways to excel in subcontinent conditions," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said last month.

"With Australia's series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates fast approaching, it's a chance for some players to push for selection."

Renshaw is expected to play three more championship matches for Somerset, the county where current national coach Justin Langer finished his playing career, before linking up with the Australia A squad.

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja peeled off a century during his first game with Glamorgan. Khawaja will also take part in Australia A's tour of India.